Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Visual Arts

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Visual Arts provides a critical bridge between talent and skill. This exciting curriculum includes expert instruction and rigorous studio experience to help you take your creative ideas to the next level in a supportive atmosphere.

It includes theory and critique seminars designed to develop creative and conceptual thinking; art history courses that integrate issues of contemporary art within a historical context; and elective studio courses in painting, drawing, digital photography and other media. The focus on studio practice with a conceptual and art-historical framework enables you to develop a portfolio of work for application to a Master of Fine Arts program. All courses are approved by UC Berkeley and take place in San Francisco. This certificate can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.

Program Staff

Contact Information

Prerequisites

College graduates who hold at least a bachelor's degree and have intermediate to advanced-level art skills are eligible to apply for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Visual Arts. Note: The revised prerequisites apply to new students registering for this professional certificate on or after July 1, 2015.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum comprises a minimum of 12 courses and a final portfolio review for a total of 24 semester units (360 hours of instruction), including 7 required courses (12 semester units), and a minimum of 6 visual arts electives (12 semester units). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate application fee.

Course topics include theory/critique courses designed to develop creative and conceptual thinking; visual art history courses that function to integrate issues of contemporary art within a historical context; and visual arts electives chosen from a wide array of studio courses in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and other media.

Grading and GPA are determined on a course-by-course basis. To receive the certificate, you must complete all required and elective courses for academic credit with a grade of C or better. A Certificate with Distinction will be awarded to those who complete the certificate with a GPA of 3.9 or higher. The curriculum can be completed within one year by attending full time (minimum 8 units per semester) or in two years by attending part time (minimum 4 units per semester). All coursework must be completed within five years of registering for the certificate.

How to Register

We have a rolling admissions policy, which means that we consider applications throughout the year. While there is no application deadline, it is advisable to submit all of your materials at least two months prior to your intended date of matriculation.

10–12 images of your current artwork (each as .jpg). Include list of artworks with title, date, medium and size (as .pdf). If your images are too large, please submit them on a CD or USB with the list to the mailing address below.

Current C.V. or résumé (as .pdf)

A copy of your transcript from an accredited undergraduate institution verifying that you earned a baccalaureate degree (as .pdf)*

Any additional copies of transcripts from all other undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (as .pdf). International transcripts must be professionally translated.*

Complete your student account profile if you are a new student.

Pay the nonrefundable application fee through your shopping cart.

*To complete the application process, you must also send your original (official and sealed) transcripts to:

If you are accepted into the certificate program, you will need to pay a separate nonrefundable $150 certificate registration fee.

If you are an international student, you must apply to Evening Certificate Programs. Learn more.

Estimated Cost

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated total cost of $6,200 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Certificate and Award Request

Once you have completed the certificate coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your certificate. Send an email to extension-visualarts@berkeley.edu or call (510) 664-7823. After your records have been reviewed, verified, and approved, your certificate will be sent to you in the mail. The review of your records is usually completed within six to eight weeks after you request the certificate.

Special Instructions for International Students

There are no admission requirements for international students who wish to complete a course or certificate online. You may register for any online course available for enrollment. Follow the registration and enrollment process for the online course you have selected.

If you are an international student who would like to study in the U.S. and require a student visa, you must apply and be officially accepted into UC Berkeley Extension's Evening Certificate Programs before enrolling in any courses associated with this certificate. Apply now.

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